School of Education opens new simulation classroom for hands-on training 

The letters of the alphabet line the walls, a colorful rug with safari animals lays on the floor, and picture books are stacked on shelves.

This isn’t a typical classroom you’d find on a college campus, of course. But for students in Liberty University’s School of Education, it’s the perfect place to hone their skills as they train for future careers in elementary education.

The new simulation classroom, DeMoss Hall 1416, opened this fall and allows students to gain hands-on experience in running learning centers, reading groups, and classroom activities before entering the field for their practicums and student teaching.

School of Education Director of Licensure Programs Dr. Shawn Ruiz, who helped create the classroom, emphasized its importance in preparing students for jobs after graduation.

“I think the best experience is to mimic as close as possible the real experiences that students will see once they get into the classroom,” she said. “Having experience doing rotations in an environment that is very close to what they can expect in the real world is the best training.”

The classroom features typical decor, learning manipulatives (objects that help students learn a skill or concept), rugs, desks, and a variety of seating options including typical desk chairs and wobble stools for more active students, as well as new and used learning materials and supplies.

“I like how it feels like a real classroom,” said freshman Dierdre Henkel. “It reminds me a lot of my elementary school.”

“This is such a cool way to get a better feel of what it’s like to be a teacher in a real classroom but without the pressure of having real students,” added freshman Abby Burner.

The room officially opened on Aug. 23 at an open house event during which faculty and students could explore the room and talk to the staff responsible for making it a reality. School of Education Dean Dr. Don Raleigh opened the event by noting the importance of simulations for training future teachers and professionals.

“Being able to navigate groups and different setups is going to help (students) as they navigate their own classrooms,” Raleigh said. “Teachers can use different skill sets and tactics within the classroom, and this is a big part of learning that.”

Students taking classes in the new simulation room are already finding benefits from working in a more immersive and specialized environment.

“It really helps to put yourself in the perspective of a student while you’re learning how to teach students,” senior Mary Brookes said. “It gives a really good perspective into how you are going to make the students feel because you are feeling the same way.”